Alicia had to agree to that. As she was about to ask another question, Sir Alfred arrived with Elmer. Baron told her to ask the question in tomorrow's class. Alicia nodded and bid goodbye to her Uncle and cousin. She started to read the books Baron had given her before leaving. Sir Alfred left for the palace as usual.
At night, before dinner, Sir Alfred would teach Alicia Swordsmanship. Alicia, who had just started to learn swordsmanship, was already doing perfect swings. Sir Alfred was astonished by Alicia's quick learning. He said,
"Princess, if you continue to push hard like this, you might become a Sword sage in no time. But don't push yourself too much, as it might lead you to a greater Injury."
Alicia nodded. But she was already pushing herself too much. While others were sympathizing with her pitiful situation, she was scared and lonely. Nobody realized that a 10-year-old, who lost her parents and discovered her beloved Uncle was the culprit, didn't need their sympathy or pity but desperately needed comfort and love. But she soon realized that it was quite impossible to get the latter.
She struggled for a week with nightmares and wasn't able to get enough sleep. While the Count and Baron realized this, they felt their hands were tied as taking her to their mansion would raise suspicions. They were scared that a mole might inform the Emperor of Alicia's existence, and the Emperor would target and kill her. Alicia also knew this bitter truth. She slowly accepted this new normal life and diligently studied for the future, where she could avenge her parents. She studied in the morning and had classes from the Baron twice a week. She got lessons from Sir Alfred at night.
Even the Count, who first opposed Alicia's decision, knew that his granddaughter could only live peacefully when the Emperor and his descendants were no longer in the picture. And so, he supported Alicia's decision and started documenting the Emperor's wrongdoings.
The Baron, using his connections, began to investigate his sister's death. This caught the Emperor's attention. But the Emperor let it be as he had already predicted this move from Baron Andrei, and decided that as long as the Baron didn't get concrete evidence, he would not make his move. Alicia got wind of every move made by her Uncle and Grandpa and kept track of every move made by the Emperor. She learned that the Archduchy's land was given to the current Duke of Arden by the Emperor as a gift and solace for their great loss. But the Count and Baron knew it was the Emperor's move to keep the young Duke at his side and prevent him from investigating his parents' deaths in the future. But the young Duke had his own plans.